Lunch dates

Danette Goulet

It was pleasant pandemonium Thursday at Our Lady Queen of Angels

School in Corona del Mar, when all 300 students invited a special someone

to join them for lunch.

“My dad is my special person because he loves me and he knows how to

show it the best,” said Dominique St. John, 10, who with her brother,

Vinnie, 11, chose to bring their father.

The lunch was part of an annual tradition to celebrate National

Catholic Schools Week.

The event helps Our Lady Queen of Angels recognize the people who

contribute to the school’s success, said Sister Joanne Clare Gallagher,

the school’s principal.

“We always say parents are our principle educators and, with their

help, we can work together to give the very best,” she said. “We’re

co-workers.”

Every day, there has been something special to commemorate the week.

On Monday, those working in administration were honored with cards and

flowers. On Tuesday, it was students’ turn to shine with longer recesses

and no homework. Wednesday was an open house for parents.

But it is the Thursday lunch, Gallagher said, that students really

love.

Students are allowed to invite a person who is special to them to join

in the school Mass and stay for a meal.

Many students, such as Dominique and Vinnie, invited their parents.

Sixth-grade student Trevor Gladich, 12, said he chose his dad because,

“truthfully, he’s a special person, kind of.”

“He’s always there and never leaves you when you’re in trouble,”

Trevor said.

Other students chose to bring people from outside their immediate

family.

Morgan Presson, 11, chose her baby-sitter.

Bailey Kray, 7, chose her first-grade teacher.

Fatima Farfan, 10, chose her mother’s friend, Gretchen Hooper. “Mostly

because she spoils me,” Fatima said. “She invites us to her house a lot,

and she buys us what we want.”

No matter what the children’s reasons for choosing their special

person, the day was intended to bring everyone together as a school

community and a family, Gallagher said.

Our Lady Queen of Angels’ celebration of National Catholic Schools

Week will end today by honoring teachers.